A total of 64 players were drafted in 2023, and while AFL scouts can soon kick up their feet, their attention will eventually turn to next year's crop of impressive teenagers.
26 players eligible for next year's draft have been named in the 2024 AFL Academy squad, many of whom featured in the annual Future Stars game at the MCG in December.
2023's draft was heavily impacted by father-son and Academy prospects, and 2024 looks to be no different as a number of top-rated players already have ties to AFL clubs.
The top-end of next year's draft is also skewed in favour of midfielders, with seven of the top eight names to consider likely to spend a majority of their draft campaigns in the middle of the field next year.
Here are the names to watch in 2024...
1. Finn O'Sullivan
Would've ranked highly among the 2023 draft class, and with a further 12 months of development O'Sullivan is sure to be in contention for Pick 1.
The Oakleigh Chargers onballer was one of three bottom-age players selected in the U18 All-Australian team following a strong carnival for Vic Country, where he helped lead his team's engine room beside No.1 pick Harley Reid.
O'Sullivan took out the Kevin Sheehan Medal in 2022 as a standout at the U16s carnival and would reach new heights this year for Vic Country, averaging 16.7 disposals, 4.0 marks, 3.0 tackles and almost a goal per game from his three outings.
Is as clean in and under to retrieve the ball as he is bursting from stoppage, with O'Sullivan having no issue finding the Sherrin on his way to collecting 20 or more disposals in seven of his eight Talent League matches this year, where he would also earn Team of the Year honours.
